The 30 Best Windows 11 Tips, Tricks, and Hidden Features to Use in 2022

Windows 11 is among us now. Since October 2021, millions of users have adopted Microsoft's latest desktop operating system. Now that we have a better understanding of Windows 11, it's time to discover all the latest features this new platform has to offer.

Whether Windows 11 is truly a new desktop operating system is still open to question. It feels more like a subtle upgrade to its predecessor than a giant leap from Windows 10 to 8.

Some users might say this is a rebranded Windows 10, but even so, it's not a bad thing.

After all, Windows 10 is the most popular addition to its operating system family, following the failure of its predecessor. If Microsoft's previous desktop platform wasn't broken, why fix it?

The latest platform offers the same performance as its predecessor, but with an improved UI design and some cool new features.

What should I do first in Windows 11?

Now that your new Windows 11 operating system is installed and ready to use, there are a few things you can do to give you system stability and customization capabilities.

After installing a new operating system on your PC, here are the most important steps:

1. Update PC Drivers- Press Windows I key to access the Settings app and click Check for Updates.
2. Uninstall any apps you don’t use – In the Windows menu, simply right-click on any app and select Uninstall to remove it from your system.
3. Download any valuable apps- To access all the tools you need, your Windows 11 PC needs to have a few apps installed.
4. Personalize your Windows 11 operating system - Follow the steps in this tutorial.
5. Check your PC's power settings- This element will determine the amount of power your PC will use, so changing the power settings according to your needs will ensure longer battery life and higher stability.
6. Back up your personal files - To ensure that all your files remain intact, saving them to an external HDD or SSD is the best option.
7. Install or set up good antivirus software for Windows 11 - Having a stable and secure antivirus software installed on your system will give you peace of mind while browsing any website.

As you can see, our team of experts created a handy step-by-step tutorial above to handle how to set up your new Windows 11 operating system for optimal performance and stability.

Here are some handy Windows 11 tips and tricks you can try out on the new platform.

What are your best tips and tricks for Windows 11?

1. Adjust the taskbar size

1. First, press the Windows hotkey in the search box. S
2. Type Registry Editor in the search text box.
3. Next, click Registry Editor in the search utility to open it.
   
4. Browse to this registry key location: <strong>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\</strong>
5. Right-click on the Advanced key and select New.
   
6. Then select the DWORD (32-bit) value option.
   
7. Enter TaskbarSi as the name of the new DWORD.
8. Double-click TaskbarSi to open the window in the screenshot below.
   
9. Then enter 0 or 2 in the value data box. For example, enter 2 to make the taskbar larger or 0 to decrease the size.
10. Click "OK" on the "Edit DWORD" window to exit.
    
11. After that, close the Registry Editor.
12. Press the Start button and select its Power Options.
    
13. Then click Restart. Afterwards, Windows 11 will have a larger or smaller taskbar depending on the value you entered.

Notes You can restore the original medium taskbar by entering 1 in the Edit DWORD window of TaskbarSi. Alternatively, right-click TaskbarSi and select Delete.

2. Try the new keyboard shortcuts

Windows 11 provides new keyboard shortcuts for some of its features. You can press these hotkeys to bring up the widget panel, notification center, quick settings, team chat, and snap layouts. Press these hotkeys to turn on their functionality:

• Windows key W：Widget panel
• Windows key N：Notification Center
• WindowsKey A：Quick Settings
• ##Windows Key C：Team Chat
• WindowsKey Z：Align Layout
• Shift F10：Legacy context menu (requires item selection)

3. Change your default browsing Browser

First, you must install a powerful browser that is fully compatible with your new operating system. Opera is an attractive option.
1. Then, use the in-browser settings to declare Opera as the default browser, as shown below.
2. 
Once declared, you need to enforce this setting in Windows configuration.
3. To do this, open Settings and click on the Apps section.
4. Next, select the default app. Then, select the specific file types you want to associate with your preferred browser from the list and change them accordingly.
5. 

As you know, Edge is the default browser in Windows 11, and Microsoft is sparing no effort to promote it. Unfortunately, that's one of the reasons it's a little tricky to get rid of it.

Even if you adjust the settings within the browser, Windows 11 will still use Edge to open many file formats. This is exactly why you need to adjust settings in Windows.

While we have to admit the Edge's value, it's safe to say there are plenty of great options you probably don't want to miss out on.

With a sleek design and impressive integrations, performance-driven Opera is a perfect match for your new operating system.

4. Restore classic File Explorer

Open the Registry Editor as described in steps one through three of the first tip.
1. Then open the following registry key:
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions<strong></strong>
Right-click the Registry Editor Shell Extensions key on the left to select
3. New.
   
Select the
4. Key option.
   
Entry of a new registry key name is
5. blocked.
Right-click on the Blocked key you just added and select the
6. New > String Value option for it.
   
Enter
7. {e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7} as the name of the string value.
   
Then exit the Registry Editor.
9. Restart your PC by selecting the Power >Restart Start menu option.
Notes This registry edit restores tabbed File Explorer from Windows 10 in the new platform. Additionally, you can temporarily remove the command bar from File Explorer by pressing its

F11 hotkey. 5. Organize open application windows

Windows 11 has a new Snap Layouts feature that helps users better organize windows. To activate Snap Layouts, hover your cursor over the maximize button in the upper right corner of the window.

Expert Tip:

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Then you will see the Snap Layout option shown directly below.

You can then choose one of four window layout options. Using these options, you can neatly arrange multiple software windows on your desktop without overlapping.

Snap Layouts also groups windows on the taskbar. So when you arrange several windows using this feature, you will see a group thumbnail preview of the layout in the toolbar.

Selecting this thumbnail preview will open all grouped windows you have arranged.

6. View Command Terminal

1. Command Terminal is a new command line application you can use in Windows 11. A quick way to open it is to right-click on the desktop and select Open in Windows Terminal.
   
2. After opening the command terminal, you can open multiple tabs. To do this, click the Open a new button shown directly below.
   
3. #To choose a different command line shell for a tab, press the small arrow button and select one on the menu.
   
4. You can further configure the command terminal by selecting the Settings menu option.
5. In the Settings tab that opens, you can click the Default Profile drop-down menu to select an alternative default command shell.
   
6. You can customize the colors of the application by clicking Color Scheme on the left side of the Settings tab. Next, select a different color scheme in the drop-down menu and select the Save option.
   

7. Add a different background to the virtual desktop

1. You can choose a new Select background option to change Wallpapers to replace virtual desktops in Windows 11. To add a different wallpaper to them, hover your cursor over the taskbar button shown directly below.
   
2. Click the New Desktop option to add one.
3. Right-click on the new desktop and select its Select a background option.
   
4. Select a new background for your desktop in the Personalization tab that opens.
5. You will then have two virtual desktops with different wallpapers, as shown in the snapshot below.
   

8. Move the taskbar icon to the left

1. Click Start on the taskbar, and then Select Settings from its menu.
   
2. Select the TaskbarNavigation option on the Personalize tab.
   
3. Double-click Taskbar Behavior to expand its settings.
   
4. Select Left on the taskbar alignment drop-down menu. Your taskbar icon will now be left aligned.
   

9. Select a touch keyboard theme with new custom settings

1. Press the key of WindowsI hotkey to launch set up.
2. Select the Personalize tab.
3. Double-click the Touch Keyboard on the Personalization tab.
   
4. Choose a new touch keyboard color theme.
   
5. Alternatively, click the Customize Theme radio button and Edit. You can then set a touch keyboard theme with your own color selection.
   
6. After setting the custom touch keyboard theme, press the save button.

Notes To enable the touch keyboard, right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar Settings. Next, click on the touch keyboard option there to turn it on. You can then click on the touch keyboard system tray icon. Of course, you'll also need a touchscreen PC to use a touch keyboard.

10. Eliminate distractions and unnecessary notifications

1. To eliminate potential intrusions, open the Settings app.
2. Next, click Privacy & Security and make sure the following option is disabled: Show suggested content in the Settings app.
3. You can be more granular and disable ad-focused notifications.
4. To do this, return to the Settings window and go to the System section.
5. Here, click Notifications and disable both options: Get suggestions on how to set up my device and Get tips and guidance for using Windows.

Advertising is often seen as disruptive. Windows 11 is known for displaying unsolicited information in many forms, from prompts to software recommendations and other types of notifications.

We recommend that you customize how you interact with notifications to avoid being inundated with suggestions, tips, and other unnecessary messages that may distract you.

So you can choose to eliminate only ads, disable notifications for individual apps or set specific rules for their display, or even disable notifications entirely.

11. Try Dark Mode for greater comfort

1. Open Settings and click Personalize (or right-click anywhere on the desktop to open context menu and select the last available option Personalization).
2. Now, click on the Color tab.
3. Next to the Select your mode section, you'll see a drop-down menu with three available themes: Light, Dark, and Custom.
4. Select Dark Mode and apply the changes.

The Windows environment (including all applications that support this mode) will be dimmed.

As you know, this kind of lighting is also good for your eyes, especially if you spend a lot of time in front of your PC, so it's not just a matter of appearance.

You can find more valuable tips on Dark Mode on Windows 11 and use your PC the way you want.

Can I find more tips in Windows 11?

Windows 11 includes a Tips app that you can access through the Widgets panel. First, press the widget taskbar button. Next, click the Add widgets button on the board and select Tips.

You can then read more Windows 11 tips in the Tips widget. Or you can click the prompt link at the top of your device to open its app. The app includes 18 Windows 11 Prompt themes for you to browse.

Windows 11 may not be radically different from its predecessor, but there's a lot new to discover in the latest desktop operating system. Therefore, it's worth upgrading to Windows 11; even more so given that it's currently a free upgrade.

Microsoft is rolling out the new platform to Windows 10 PCs that meet its system requirements. Users who have not yet installed Windows 11 can install it through the Windows Update tab in Settings. This tab will provide Windows 11Download and Install options for users who can upgrade to it.

You can explore the platform's new features and customize it with the Windows 11 tips and tricks above. Our Windows 11 vs. Windows 10 tutorial also details what's new in Microsoft's latest desktop operating system and how to upgrade.

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